Totally cliché I know but the first thing you have to do when you arrive in New York is play “Empire State of Mind” by Jay Z and Alicia Keys and dance crazily around your hotel room while singing as loud as you can – YOU’RE IN NEW YORK BABY, enjoy it – we did!
The million-dollar questions on everyone’s lips when booking a trip to New York City are:
1. what do I need to see and
2. how long should I stay?
Well, let me say New York City is energizing, it’s exciting and nothing short of spectacular. The glitz the glam, and the pizzazz sucks you right in and leaves you always wanting to go back for more and more.
I get goosebumps talking about New York, I love it, it is the city that never sleeps and will never disappoint! If it’s your first or fiftieth time in New York, there are many things to see and do – and they are all good!
So here’s my guide to New York City and to make your stay nothing less than spectacular I recommend staying for at least seven days to fit all of the below in.
Statue of Liberty – Climb into the Crown
Iconic New York, this beauty was gifted to New York from France back in 1886 to symbolise friendship and freedom – so very kind! For me, there is only one way to truly experience and appreciate one of New York’s top tourist attractions and that is by getting inside her head – literally.
You can book a “Crown Reserve” ticket through Statue Cruises which gives you access to climb up 354 stairs from the bottom of the pedestal all the way to the top of the Statue of Liberty’s crown. I didn’t say it was going to be easy, but the view from the top is well worth it.
You will need to pre-book this experience as each day a limited number of tickets are sold.
Location: Liberty Is, New York
Opening Hours: 8.30 am – 4 pm
Price Range: $$ – $$$$
Ready to experience the Statue of Liberty from the top? Book Statue Cruises
Central Park & Loeb Boathouse Row Boats
Central Park, is not only one of the most well-known attractions in New York but as a tourist, it is the perfect place to sit back and soak up the true New York atmosphere while mingling with real New Yorkers – it’s like stepping into a fairy-tale.
There are so many activities you can do in Central Park like having a picnic in the park, renting a bike, taking a tour, or even visiting the Central Park Zoo.
But a favourite of mine is to row a boat on Central Park Lake. Ok if the truth be told I didn’t row at all Aron did all of the hard work but someone has to sit back and enjoy it – right? You get to see the park from a new perspective and without getting too lovey-dovey the setting is a little romantic – mwah!
The rowboats are reasonably priced to hire and hold a maximum of four people. Be sure to stop at the Boathouse Express Café or Restaurant afterward – it’s delicious!
Location: Central Park Lake, New York
Opening Hours: 10 am to sundown
Price Range: $
Ready to experience Rowing a Boat on Central Park Lake? Visit Loeb Boathouse
The Rink at Rockefeller Centre – Ice Skating
Try standing in ice skates for the first time clinging onto the side rail with wobbly ankles and laughing historically while a 5-year-old child performs pirouettes and puts you to shame. Could New York get any better, seriously this is what makes ice skating at the Rockefeller so much fun! You will find a variety of talent levels and ages skating delicately over the ice or landing fair and square on their behind!
Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Centre has been a New York tradition since the 1930s and although the price during the peak season may seem a little on the high side it isn’t that bad considering you are ice skating at the Rockefeller Centre in New York City!
You can pre-book your tickets if you make a “VIP Skate Reservation” or a “First Skate Package”, alternatively you purchase a “General Admissions” ticket which is sold on a first-in-best-dressed basis – this is what we did and didn’t have to wait long at all.
Location: Rockefeller Centre, Fifth Avenue (between 49th and 50th Streets)
Season: Mid-October to April
Opening Hours: 8.30 am-midnight
Price Range: $$
Ready to experience Ice Skating at The Rink? Visit The Rink at Rockefeller
Tiffany & Co. Fifth Avenue
That’s Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue darling, said with a snobbish tone.
Yes, you can buy Tiffany’s all over the world but for me owning a piece of Tiffany’s glam from Tiffany’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York made my purchase that little bit more spectacular.
Even if you don’t want to buy there is no harm in browsing right? With six amazing levels full of sparkly jewels there is something for everyone, oh that yellow diamond was perfect! The diamonds are affordable and beyond extravagant but seeing them in a store that opened back in 1837 was certainly impressive.
Location: 727 Fifth Avenue, New York
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 am to 7 pm & 12 pm to 6 pm on Sundays
Price Range: $$ – $$$$$
Ready to experience Tiffany’s Glam? Visit Tiffany & Co. Fifth Avenue
The Charging Bull
The gigantic bronze bull is a popular stop for any New York tourist, I think so many people (including myself) see the bull and think oh we must get a pic with that without actually knowing anything about it.
So here’s what you need to know, the Charging Bull was illegally dropped off outside the New York City Stock Exchange on Wall Street in 1989 by Arturo Di Modica, a Sicilian artist, who gave the statue to New York as a gift to celebrate America’s “can-do” attitude. The bull was removed that day and moved to the Bowling Green a week later which is where you can visit it today.
Location: The Bowling Green (intersections of Broadway and Morris Street in the Financial District)
Ready to see the Charging Bull? Visit Charging Bull
Empire State Building
You probably know the Empire State Building from King Kong hanging off it or the classic movie – Sleepless in Seattle. This building is another great place to get extraordinary views of New York City.
There is an observation deck on the 86th floor, but why stop there, keep going all the way to the very top where you can see the city from a whopping 102 floors high!
It will cost a little more to get to the 102nd floor but this is certainly worth it. We also paid for the express ticket to skip the lines, ironically the day we went there was no line! It is worth buying the express pass as we could see where the lines would go and on a busy day, the express ticket will be your best friend!
Location: 20 W 34th St, New York
Opening Hours: 8 am to 2 am – the last elevator to the top at 1.15 am
Cost: $$
Ready to see New York from the 102nd floor? Visit The Empire State Building
Top of the Rock
Seeing 360 degrees of uninterrupted views of New York City from 70 stories high is amazing but even more spectacular when you see the skyline change from day to night.
I recommend upgrading your ticket so you can take the elevator to the Top of the Rock twice in one day, this way you can experience one of the most amazing views during the day and by the twinkling New York City lights after dark from the open-air deck!
If you’re in a hurry, grab a VIP pass which will get you straight in! No lining up just straight to the top!
Ps. There is always time for a souvenir photo, you can recreate the famous pic “Lunch atop a skyscraper”. This iconic photo captures workers eating lunch on a steel beam during the construction of the building back in 1932.
Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
Opening Hours: 8 am to midnight – last elevator to the top at 11 pm
Cost: $$
Ready to see New York from 70 stories high? Visit The Top of the Rock
Flatiron Building
Popular for so many reasons but mainly because of its unique triangular shape. The flatiron building has been drawing crowds since 1902. For me, it was the perfect spot to grab an insta pic and then walk to Madison Square Park (2 mins away) for one of my all-time favorite burgers at Shake Shack!
Location: 175 5th Ave, New York
Ready to see the Flatiron Building? Visit Flatiron District neighborhood in New York
The American Museum of Natural History
New York City has so many good museums, which makes it very hard to decide which one to see when you have limited time in the Big Apple.
We visited the “The American Museum of Natural History”, why? …because I love history, it’s one of the biggest museums in the world and it was featured in the Ben Stiller movie – A Night at the Museum.
The Natural History Museum has so much to see like dinosaur bones, a woolly mammoth mummy, the largest meteorite found in the USA, an amazing view of the galaxy at the Hayden Planetarium, and the Rapa Nui (Easter Island) statue otherwise known as dum-dum, which was made famous by the Night at the Museum movie. Make sure you stop by the Moon scales to see how much you would weigh on the moon. Let’s just say I think I would be VERY happy living on the moon.
You can also spend a night at the museum, Check out the website for more details – AMNH
Location: 200 Central Park West, New York
Opening Hours: 10 am – 5.45 pm
Cost: $$
Ready to see history come to life? Visit The American Museum of Natural History
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Down on the Hudson at Pier 86, you will be able to discover the USS Intrepid, which for all of those history buffs out there will know is a ship that served in World War II and the Vietnam War.
There are many different aircraft, submarines, and a space shuttle that you can see and learn about how these amazing machines played a part in American history and the heroes who worked on board.
You could easily spend a whole day here if you’re interested in war history.
Location: Pier 86 W 46th St & 12th Ave, New York
Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Cost: $$
Ready to see the USS Intrepid? Visit Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
9/11 Memorial
Visiting the memorial is such an important thing to do as a visitor to New York. Not only do you get to understand how New York was affected by 9/11 but you also get an insight into how the city banded together to rebuild and restore hope to so many who had suffered so much.
This moving experience allowed us to honor and pay tribute to those affected by 9/11. You will leave with a new appreciation, understanding, and respect for New York City.
Location: World Trade Centre – 180 Greenwich Street, New York
Opening Hours: 7.30 am – 9 pm
Cost: $$
Ready to experience the 9/11 Memorial? Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Chelsea Markets
One of my favourites things to do as a tourist is to visit a local market and soak in the atmosphere. Well, Chelsea Markets is the place to do this in New York, located in the trendy Meatpackers District, Chelsea Markets is known as one of the best food halls around town.
Besides offering a wide variety of delicious food you will also find fashion stores and a whole lot of New York atmosphere – enjoy!
Good to Know
Dos Caminos Mexican is only a 3-minute walk from Chelsea Markets, you must try the freshly made GUACAMOLE!
Location: Meatpacking District – 75 Ninth Avenue, New York
Opening Hours: 7 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday & 8 am to 8 pm on Sundays
Cost: Varies
Ready to experience Chelsea Markets? Visit Chelsea Markets
Grand Central Terminal
Even if you’re not catching a train you should stop by Grand Central Terminal. With food and shops galore there is so much to see and do.
Be sure to look up, the ceiling is as impressive as the grand staircase which you just can’t resist having your photo taken on! It’s also nice to sit back and watch everyone rushing around or stand out in the middle and feel part of the hustle and bustle with over 750,000 other visitors daily – what a place!
Location: 89 East 42nd Street New York (Midtown Manhattan)
Opening Hours: 5:30 am to 2:00 am
Cost: Varies
Ready to experience Grand Central Terminal? Visit Gand Central Terminal
Where to Eat
Two of my favourite places to eat in New York are Shake Shack and Magnolia Bakery, you HAVE to go to both.
Shake Shack
Famous for its unbelievably delicious burgers and concrete shakes Shake Shack is a definite stop for any foodie. If you try the Shack Burger and the Peanut Butter Concrete I guarantee you will be going back the next day to reorder the exact same thing – it’s that good!
My two favourite locations are:
Theater District – it is right below the Intercontinental Times Square
Madison Square Park – this is where Shake Shack began
Magnolia Bakery
Not only has Magnolia Bakery been baking up delicious cakes for years but they have also starred in many famous shows like Sex in the City. The Banana pudding is one of the many amazing desserts made by Magnolia and one you can’t leave New York City without trying – get the large, you can thank me later! You can also pick up a copy of their cookbook which includes the recipes for their famous cupcakes, icebox pies, and yes …the banana pudding!
Where to Stay in New York
Intercontinental Times Square
The Intercontinental Times Square is without a doubt my favourite hotel to stay at in New York. This five–star luxury property is located close enough to Broadway and Times Square yet far enough away so the noise and bright lights won’t keep you up at night!
The hotel has luxe interiors and although this sounds strange the lobby and lifts smell delicious. You can choose to stay in various room types that come with all of the amenities you expect from a 5-star property.
Oh, and yes this amazing property sits right above Shake Shack – only the best burger joint in town serving up my favourite peanut butter concretes and hamburgers – yum!
Location: 300 West 44th Street, New York
Accommodation Style: Modern Glam – Luxury
Price Range: $$$$
Ready to experience luxury in New York? Book Intercontinental New York Times Square!
Thoughts, opinions, and photos shared about New York City | What You Need to See and How Long You Should Stay are entirely my own.
